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elemmakil's review against another edition
3.0
Olipas jotenkin ahdistavasta kirjoitettu kirja - siis tyylillisesti. Lauserakenteet saivat minut pidättämään henkeä niin pitkään, että tuli huono olo. Siksi meni kirjan luvussakin niin pitkään. Viimeiset kaksikymmentä sivua piti lukea ääneen niin muistin hengittää samalla.
estherdb's review against another edition
3.0
I don't really know what to think about this book.
It was sweet and touching on the one hand, but a little weird at the same time.
Somehow the relationship between the family and Mrs. A was a little warped. She is a nanny, a cleaning lady, a confidante and "aunt" at the same time. The balance between "I really care about you" and "You are my employee" was confusing to me and felt a little awkward at times.
The influence of Mrs. A on the family was noticable and profound. Her sickness and physical deterioration was sad and touching. However, this novel does leave you with a bittersweet taste in your mouth. It is mentioned in the novel how all human relations are temporary and we even already see how Mrs. A starts to fade from their lives after her death. It is only a matter of time before Emmanuele (the son) will hardly remember her and before the parents will stop talking about her. I know that's the way it goes in life, but it just left me with a brick in my stomach. People pass, you mourn, but eventually, life goes on. It just makes you ponder the relativity of it all.
I enjoyed the writing: elegant, stylish and poetic. The fact that the story is narrated by a young father, a physicist - comfortable in the realm of science - contrasts nicely with the fact that this story centres around emotions and a traditionally-minded widow (who tries to impose her own tradional view on family life on the family she is employed by).
It was sweet and touching on the one hand, but a little weird at the same time.
Somehow the relationship between the family and Mrs. A was a little warped. She is a nanny, a cleaning lady, a confidante and "aunt" at the same time. The balance between "I really care about you" and "You are my employee" was confusing to me and felt a little awkward at times.
The influence of Mrs. A on the family was noticable and profound. Her sickness and physical deterioration was sad and touching. However, this novel does leave you with a bittersweet taste in your mouth. It is mentioned in the novel how all human relations are temporary and we even already see how Mrs. A starts to fade from their lives after her death. It is only a matter of time before Emmanuele (the son) will hardly remember her and before the parents will stop talking about her. I know that's the way it goes in life, but it just left me with a brick in my stomach. People pass, you mourn, but eventually, life goes on. It just makes you ponder the relativity of it all.
I enjoyed the writing: elegant, stylish and poetic. The fact that the story is narrated by a young father, a physicist - comfortable in the realm of science - contrasts nicely with the fact that this story centres around emotions and a traditionally-minded widow (who tries to impose her own tradional view on family life on the family she is employed by).
magsmybags's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
bookrokosmos's review against another edition
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Cancer
natashaball's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Pensavo che questo libro mi sarebbe piaciuto molto di più - sono stata un po’ delusa perché non sono sicura che la coppia sia veramente cambiata con la malattia della tata. Nonostante questo, era bello vedere come la famiglia non è soltanto le persone con cui condividiamo il sangue.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Cancer
lhaylameansnight's review against another edition
5.0
Oh Giordano, mi fai piangere. Delicato. Racconti la tragedia della malattia nei dettagli più precisi, compreso l’odore delle stanze di chi sta morendo.
Grazie. Grazie per questa perla di letteratura.
Grazie. Grazie per questa perla di letteratura.
hannekedom's review against another edition
4.0
Een mooi boek over leven en dood en relaties; en toch niet zwaar.
shanflan's review against another edition
reflective
4.25
"her life was worthy of hope that fate would make an exception for her"
This book was so sweet, poignant, honest, translated really well. And full of these little truths.
This book was so sweet, poignant, honest, translated really well. And full of these little truths.